Colombia inaugurates its new president in Cali, in photos

On Aug 8, 2026

CALI, Colombia (AP) — Conservative Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president in the southwestern city of Cali, breaking with the tradition of holding the inauguration in Bogotá. The move is intended to signal a hardline approach to illegal armed groups as the political outsider succeeds leftist President Gustavo Petro.

Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella arrives with his family for his inauguration in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella arrives for his inauguration in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa arrives for the inauguration of Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) — Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa arrives for the inauguration of Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

The Alto Napoles neighborhood overlooks the Pichincha Battalion as Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella delivers a speech after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) — The Alto Napoles neighborhood overlooks the Pichincha Battalion as Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella delivers a speech after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Argentina's President Javier Milei arrives for the inauguration of Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) — Argentina’s President Javier Milei arrives for the inauguration of Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella delivers a statement by video to journalists in Cali, Colombia, ahead of his inauguration, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

An opponent of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella protests on the day of his inauguration in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro unveils his portrait, painted by Jaime Rojas, left, in the gallery of Colombian former presidents during his final week in office at the presidential palace in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) — Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro unveils his portrait, painted by Jaime Rojas, left, in the gallery of Colombian former presidents during his final week in office at the presidential palace in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Police inspect a storm drain outside the Santiago de Cali University arena, where the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella will take place, in Cali, Colombia, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A worker lays out the red carpet at the Universidad Santiago de Cali arena, where the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella will take place, in Cali, Colombia, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella receives the ceremonial staff from Senate President Honorio Henriquez during his inauguration in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) — Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella receives the ceremonial staff from Senate President Honorio Henriquez during his inauguration in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Soldiers stand in formation as Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) — Soldiers stand in formation as Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) — Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Francesca kisses her father, Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella, after he took the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) — Francesca kisses her father, Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella, after he took the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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